Tobacco advertisements will no longer be seen in cricket stadiums in India, know the reason?

New Delhi. During international and IPL cricket matches played in India, advertisements of ‘tobacco’ and ‘gutkha’ are often seen around the stadium. These advertisements generate a good amount of revenue for the cricket board. However, a recent report suggests that these advertisements may soon be banned in stadiums. The Union Health Ministry is planning to take major steps regarding these advertisements. A study published in the British Medical Journal in May by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and global health organization Vital Strategies showed that 41.3% of all surrogate advertisements of smokeless tobacco (SLT) brands in 2023 were shown during the last 17 matches of the Cricket World Cup.

According to a report in Live Mint, the Union Health Ministry is now planning to ask the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to ban the display of smokeless tobacco advertisements in stadiums. The focus will be on banning celebrity endorsed ads. A source said, “Cricket matches are extremely popular among the young population. There are many instances where surrogate ads of smokeless tobacco are shown during cricket matches with celebrity endorsements.

This indirectly attracts the youth. The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) of the Ministry of Health can write a letter to the BCCI and urge them to ban the display of any kind of tobacco advertisements.” The Cricket World Cup is the biggest tournament in the sport. India hosted the 2023 Cricket World Cup alone. In such major tournaments, tobacco or gutkha advertisements have a greater impact on the youth. The ministry’s plan aims to reduce the impact of tobacco advertising on young audiences and promote a healthy environment in sports.